New American Standard Bible 1995

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Ezekiel

Note Journal Prayer

29

:

11

“

"A man's foot will not pass through it, and the foot of a beast will not pass through it, and it will not be inhabited for forty years.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
"A man's man, mankind Noun H120 אָדָ֔ם a·dam,
foot foot Noun H7272 רֶ֣גֶל re·gel
will not pass to pass over, through, or by, pass on Verb H5674 תַעֲבָר־ ta·'a·var-
through it, and the foot foot Noun H7272 וְרֶ֥גֶל ve·re·gel
of a beast a beast, animal, cattle Noun H929 בְּהֵמָ֖ה be·he·mah
will not pass to pass over, through, or by, pass on Verb H5674 תַעֲבָר־ ta·'a·var-
through it, and it will not be inhabited to sit, remain, dwell Verb H3427 תֵשֵׁ֖ב te·shev
for forty forty Noun H705 אַרְבָּעִ֥ים ar·ba·'im
Analysis:

Forty: Transition or change

Often people will speak of the number forty as a generational number. There is no evidence for such an interpretation from the Scripture. The number 40 expresses a change or transition. The examples for such a view are seen throughout both the Old and New Covenants. 

  • It rained for 40 days in the days of Noah (see Genesis 7:12). These rains brought about a transition; HaShem would begin the world again with the family of Noah. 
  • Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (see Exodus 34:28). Although this was the second time Moses went up to the mountain, it was this time that the Law was actually given to the Children of Israel and a transition was made to Israel being commanded to observe the Law.
  • Yeshua was tested in the mountains of Judah for 40 days and 40 nights (see Matthew 4:2) and afterwards He began His ministry. Hence, a transition was made from when Yeshua did not minister to the time when He began to fulfill His Father's will in a formal way.
  • After the resurrection, Yeshua appeared for 40 days (Acts 1:3) and He ascended into the heavens. Yeshua's earthly ministry had finished and there was a transition to His disciples carrying on His work.
  • In the account of Absalom, the reader is told that at the end of 40 years (see 2 Samuel 15:7), Absalom requested permission to go to Hebron from his father. Although he said that he wanted to pay his vows, this was said so he could depart and begin his rebellion against David, his father. Why is 40 years mentioned? To what does the 40 years refer? Some commentaries say the 40 years was from when Saul began the monarchy. Whether this is true or not is undetermined. However, what is for sure is that there was a transition in the leadership of Israel. The number 40 appears in verse 7 to assist the reader in identifying this change in leadership.

Numerous other examples could be provided, but these few sufficiently demonstrate the meaning and use of the number 40 in the Scriptures. 

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016
years. a year Noun H8141 שָׁנָֽה׃ sha·nah.

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
New American Standard Bible 1995 "A man's foot will not pass through it, and the foot of a beast will not pass through it, and it will not be inhabited for forty years.
King James Bible "A man's No foot will not of man shall pass through it, and the nor foot of a beast will not shall pass through it, and neither shall it will not be inhabited for forty years.
Hebrew Greek English "A man's foot will not pass through it, and the foot of a beast will not pass through it, and it will not be inhabited for forty years.